Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Atheriniformes (Silversides) >
Atherinopsidae (Neotropical silversides) > Menidiinae
Etymology: Menidia: Greek, menoeides, -es, -es = like a half noon shape (Ref. 45335). More on author: Hubbs.
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Freshwater; pelagic; pH range: 6.6 - 6.8. Temperate, preferred ?; 35°N - 34°N
North America: occurs only in the Lake Waccamaw in North Carolina, USA.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 3.3  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 8.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5723); common length : 4.8 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 12193); max. reported age: 3 years (Ref. 12193)
Short description
Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal
spines
(total): 10 - 17;
Anal
spines: 0;
Anal
soft rays: 16 - 22;
Vertebrae: 41 - 45. Silvery-white with black melanophores surrounding each scale on the dorsal two-thirds of the body. The dorsal half of the body is almost translucent.
Usually occur in large schools near surface in open water, over dark sandy bottom (Ref. 35360). Well adapted to a life of heavy predation (Ref. 35360). Frequent skipping over the water surface is observed apparently in avoidance of predators (Ref. 35360).
Based on otolith data, these species spawn after their first winter and that only a small segment of the population lives through the second winter (Ref. 35360).
Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr, 1991. A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 432 p. (Ref. 5723)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; bait: usually
More information
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